Christian celebrity relationship guru Gretha Wiid has offered an apology of sorts while justifying her youth advice book that includes contentious views on homosexuality.

In a video posted on Facebook, Wiid said that she wanted to put the book, aimed at those between the ages of 10 and 13, into perspective; explaining that it was written and published in 2009.

An excerpt on the topic of homosexuality went viral this past week on social media, alarming many who believe that it offers inaccurate and dangerous information that could negatively affect young LGBT people and their families.

In the video, Wiid says that she has numerous qualifications in psychology and human sexuality, and that she has been presenting courses on these topics for 20 years.

She then reveals that the topic of homosexuality is actually very close to her heart because “my own brother is part of the homosexual community. My brother is gay and he has a long-time life partner. We are very close”.

Wiid insists that she’s not going to defend her book or herself, but wants to instead share part of her heart with viewers. She also claims that the excerpt on homosexuality was misunderstood.

With regard to her explanation of the word “moffie” (faggot) to the young readers, Wiid points out that she later urges them in the book to never use such a word, even in a joke.

She argues that she intended to explain stereotypes to children and calls on them not to tease or bully other kids who do not play rugby and rather play musical instruments.

“The fact is that I shared my opinion as a child of God. And your opinion might not be the same as mine. The word of God is open to interpretation. And we all have freedom of religion and freedom of speech and freedom of opinion.”

Wiid urges young people struggling with their sexuality to speak to someone because gay people are often rejected around the world… “and I don’t believe in my whole heart that this is Jesus’ plan”.

Wiid states that she will not apologise for her experience and knowledge included in the book, “but I can today say that if I have wronged you, as a parent or child in this situation, with my word choices or the way that I wrote, then for that I apologise.”

She adds: “I never said that gays are going to hell. Heaven and hell are not my domain or my area of discussion…”

Wiid, however, does not address two of the most controversial views in her book: that boys become gay because of an unloving father figure and that homosexuality can be corrected in young people if they “speak to someone about these things in time – before it is too late”.

LGBT activist and attorney Coenie Kukkuk was not impressed with the video and commented that “it is not an apology but a justification that offers her views on biblical grounds and not scientific grounds”. He added that “she preaches half of the 12 minutes”.

Kukkuk told Mambaonline that, crucially, Wiid did not address the belief that being gay is a choice. Nor did she agree to withdraw the book.

“She never once says that an enormous amount of research suggests that homosexuality is something we are born with. For me, nothing has changed.”

Kukkuk did acknowledge that Wiid is “at least addressing the issue and not running away, although her explanation is unsatisfactory. That is more than we can say about people like Angus Buchan and Jon Qwelani.”

Wiid is a popular public speaker, lay preacher and relationship expert in the Afrikaans community and has been described as a female version of controversial preacher Angus Buchan.

In March last year, the World Psychiatric Association stated that trying to “cure” LGBT people, known as “conversion therapy”, doesn’t work and is both dangerous and unethical.

Although the South African Society of Psychiatrists has condemned conversion therapy, it remains legal and is practised in South Africa by some religious groups.

“Although Gretha Wiid and her husband Francois are marriage consultants, she is not qualified as a minister, marriage or sex therapist, advisor or consultant. She actually describes herself as a ‘finessekenner’, or finesse expert – whatever this might be (2009e). She earns her money from holding conferences and especially school talks and camps on sex counselling. During an interview with Freek Robinson on his radio programme Praat Saam [Talking Together] on RSG (09 September 2009), with Prof. Hansie Wolmarans, Gretha Wiid as guests, she claimed to have several MA degrees, but during an earlier interview with Elmari Craig, a qualified sexologist (Craig & Stander 2009), Wiid admitted that she has no professional qualification (cf. Swart-Walters 2010b:18–19). She claims that her sources of information are ‘informed people’, reading the Bible and what Jesus and God tell her. She claims she is on a god-sent mission and does not speak in her own right.” In her video of reply (there is no apology in it), she claims to have several qualifications. So what is the truth? We want to see those”qualifications”

I fail to see the apology. Her supposed justification is just making the matter worse! She should learn to shut up. Reading through a psychology book does mot make one qualified. If it did I’d have degrees in everything! There is no preventing a child being gay just as there is no prevention for Wiid being a self absorbed bigot. She knows not what she speaks of!

Pathetic response from an ignorant Christian. I don’t care if she said anything about gay people going to heaven or hell since I don’t belive in her religion. I do belive in good and bad and this woman is writing about things her small mind can not comprehend while blinded by her faith. She is spewing nonsense and creating hurt for many young gay kids struggling with their sexuality. I am sick and tired of a hate, ignorance, racism, sexism etc being excused due to people religious beliefs.

I don’t accept your apology lady not that you actually gave one. The fact I hat your own brother is gay makes this even more tragic. How sad you must make his life. Hide behind your religion and your evil but the damage is done.

Outrageous. That is no apology at all. She should be ashamed of herself. Telling young teenagers that she disagrees that people are born gay – is not really encouraging young people to become their authentic selves. I ended up coming out in my early 40s because bigots like Wiid made people like me scared and fearful. I am way beyond that now: happy, free and at peace – but no thanks to troubled people like her. What fascinates me is how people like her are obsessed with the Bible and homosexuality. The book of Leviticus which damns homesexuality (calling it an abomination) also calls eating shellfish and touchingthe skin of a pig an abomination. So, if Wiid has, ever in her life, eaten a prawn or playined with a pig skin ball – she will be burning in hell with us gays. He apology is an insult to her brother – if anything the book tells her brother how she really feels about his sexual orientation. I wonder if they had an abusive dad? How else could you explain a moffie brother? What a silly, stupid and dangerous woman.

I personally think that in context with what she said she was wrong. As a gay person I have been victim of verbal attacks, or guys just wanting to be with you for experimental purposes.

The same Bible that says homosexuality is wrong also says that God knew the path you would lead when you where in your mother’s womb.

Tongues like swords, will always be there and ignorance can’t be paid off or discontinued.
I know that God protects me and loves me.
You may not judge. My dad gave me love and still does regardless of my sexuality.